Unified Champion City Schools
Unified Champions City Schools is a partnership between Special Olympics Indiana and inner and urban school districts including Indianapolis Public Schools and Fort Wayne Public Schools that facilitates participation in UCCS programming by pre-schools through high schools in Marion County and Allen County in Indiana. Bringing youth leaders, scholars, and athletes together on school campuses to positively affect school climate and tone. It helps generate positive relationships and improve learning environments.
Location: Urban and Inner-City Schools in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne
Unified Sports® Options
Unified PE and Fitness, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cheer,
Cornhole, Esports, Flag Football, Kickball, Robotics, Soccer,
Track and Field
State Office Contact
Criteria for success
Inclusive Youth Leadership
All school-sponsored UCCS activities should be planned, organized and administered by an “Inclusive Student Leadership Team” that strives to do things WITH students with intellectual disabilities, NOT FOR them.
Whole School Engagement
The school should participate in at least one activity designed around “Whole School Engagement” and/or a school-wide fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana that promotes and encourages awareness, respect, and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities.
School Assemblies
Hosted by comedian Craig Tornquist, our high energy school assemblies are an uplifting and fun way to energize your school while learning about Champions Together and Unified Champion Schools. Best known for his love of audience participation, Craig has delighted more than 3,000 school assembly crowds across the country and is joined by Special Olympics Indiana staff and student ambassadors in providing an overview of our program.
To host an assembly at your school, contact Craig Tornquist at
[email protected] or (574) 360-0853.
Unified Sports®
The school should organize and participate in at least one Unified Sports® activity, such as a Unified Track and Field meet, a Unified Fitness Club, a Unified Physical Education class, Unified Bowling, or a Unified competition involving students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Collaborative Fundraising
The school should fundraise a minimum of $250 (elem), $750 (middle) or $1,500 (high) for Special Olympics Indiana to assist in sustaining and expanding UCCS activities.
How to get involved at your school
Teachers and administrators can contact Chris Akers at [email protected]
Parents and students should contact a teacher or administrator at the school first.
